Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board MWMT hike 6/14-15

First time attempt on the summit last weekend was the cumulation of many months planning that actually started last September. Was lucky enough to get the permit for the best time we requested, including myself and my two sons. Arrived at the Portal on Thursday hoping to get a little altitude conditioning in prior to the hike on Saturday. Ran up to Lone Pine Lake Friday AM with about 25 pound packs and found myself pretty tired by the time we got there. Back down for a good nights sleep before setting off for Trail Camp Sat AM.

At the trail head with 35 pounds the next morning and set off up the hill. At 58 years old I had my hands full on this hike, it was strenuous all the way. Good trail conditions and many folks on the way made the 5 hour hike to Trail Camp possible but exhausting. Ate a lite dinner and was feeling pretty good, just tired so went to bed about 9PM. Almost immediately was struck with a pretty good headache that lasted most of the night and had all these thoughts about whether or not I was actually going to make it. Headache left about 3AM and I got some little sleep.

Up at 5 AM for the summit. Our plan was to summit and then get pack to Portal on Sunday so with 16 miles ahead of us we needed to start early. Temperature in Trail Camp overnight was 33 degrees, Consultation Lake had a thin cover of ice and we had light ice on the switchbacks lower down. At the cables one of our party had to turn back due to altitude sickness. Also one of my sons lost his footing and slipped under the cables. Thank God he had his ice axe dug in or he would have been a statistic. Even with caution this place is very dangerous, be careful and have the gear. There was the last icefield at the top just before Trail Crest that was also a bit sketchy, no cables here but the path was pretty well tramped down. No one was using crampons but I swear by the ice axe, especially after seeing what could happen at the Cables.

Don't be deceived, at the Crest there is still plenty of tough trail to climb and in the thin air I was breathing hard for the next two miles laboring up. Felt good though and the trail was pretty safe from there to the top. Made the Summit in 4 hours from Trail Camp, what could be better than to do this with my two sons on Fathers Day! (picture time)

Eleven more miles to go so after the picture shoot we started back down. By the time I got to Trail Camp I was feeling exhausted and had a slight headache, not too bad. Made it back to Portal at 7:30 PM and my feet were killing me. Safe and sound back in camp just in time to see a couple of Black Bears come rumbling through just about dark.

Wow, what a trip for a first timer. Have fun, be safe and watch the Cables, one slip and it could ruin your trip !

Good trip report, thanks. I am going up with my son 6/22-6/24-- doing it a little more stretched out... based on what you saw of ice/snow-- should I keep my crampon rentals? Change to ice ax? Or trekking poles ok-- no real early morning ascent on switchbacks anticipated..

bps

In my estimation you are doing it the right way. I would have loved to have another day at Trail Camp on the way down. I did not see anyone using crampons either at the cables or the snowfield at the top of the switchbacks. However, I think carrying an ice axe is good insurance and worth its weight. Trekking poles seem to be more of a hindrance at these crossings than a help, but that's just my opinion. Best Wishes.

Thanks for reply.. sounds like ice ax may be more help than crampons..

Congrats on the summit. As a father also, that must have been a scary moment at the cables. Thanks for the trip report. I would like to summit with my sons next year.